Chapter 245
Chapter 245
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 245
Chapter Title: Tae-seon's Anxiety
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The envoy from the Blue Wolf Tribe was staying not in the Imperial Palace, but at the Golden Army headquarters. Tae-seon peered out the window of her quarters, furrowing her brow.
‘Two days have already passed….’
She still hadn’t met Emperor Yi So. Yi Hwan hadn’t returned from the Imperial Palace either.
What if something went wrong? Tae-seon felt deeply anxious and restless.
What if the Emperor refused permission?
In the worst case, she might end up trapped as a hostage.
Her anxiety soon turned into suspicion toward Yi Hwan.
‘Did that man deceive us?’
It was then. Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong passed by outside the window.
Tae-seon started to open the window but stopped herself.
‘If I show them how restless I am, they’ll just look down on us more.’
Crunch.
Tae-seon bit her lip. The thought of being tricked filled her with uncontrollable rage, twisting her insides.
Just then, the door opened, and a maid entered.
The two maids carried trays laden with appetizing dishes and bottles of liquor.
“Please eat, Your Highness.”
Tae-seon snatched a bottle of liquor and gulped it straight down.
Gulp, gulp!
“I don’t feel like it, so you two eat.”
“Please eat just a little, Your Highness.”
“Never mind. I’d just throw it up.”
“…….”
Tae-seon threw herself onto the bed and pulled the covers over her head.
‘If he deceived us, I won’t forgive him even if I become a vengeful ghost after death.’
Her suspicion was already turning into certainty. Tae-seon kicked off the covers, thrashing in fury.
It was then.
“Are you there?”
A deep voice drifted in. It was Cheol Mu-ok’s voice.
Tae-seon sprang up and got off the bed.
“What is it?”
“The Great Prince is summoning you.”
“……!”
Tae-seon’s eyes widened round. The maids quickly fetched her outer robe from the wall.
As she slipped it on, Tae-seon feigned a calm voice.
“Wait a moment.”
“Take your time.”
Thump, thump.
Her heart pounded.
The situation she desperately hoped for and its opposite flashed alternately through her mind, stirring it up.
Finally, after adjusting her hair with a hand mirror, Tae-seon took a deep breath and stepped outside.
“When did you return from the Imperial Palace?”
“Just now.”
“Let’s go.”
“Is there something wrong with your health?”
“No. I’m perfectly fine.”
“Your face looks flushed. Glad to hear you’re all right.”
“……I had a bit of liquor, so I’m a little warm.”
Tae-seon deliberately held her head high as she walked.
Cheol Mu-ok added one more thing.
“Do you know where the Great Prince’s quarters are?”
“How would I know that?”
“Then follow behind me.”
“……!”
* * *
Yi Hwan sipped the tea Go Mi had served him.
Hwa Ryeong, peeling fruit beside him, asked.
“How did it go?”
“He gave permission.”
“Oh ho, as expected!”
Go Mi asked.
“Did the Prime Minister, the Grand Marshal, and the ministers of the Six Ministries all agree?”
“All of them agreed.”
“Congratulations.”
“Congratulations! Thanks to you, Great Prince, we’ve gained a powerful vassal state!”
“What’s there to congratulate?”
Yi Hwan popped a piece of fruit into his mouth. Then Cheol Mu-ok’s voice drifted in.
“I’ve brought the Princess.”
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Tae-seon entered.
“Sit.”
Tae-seon sat across from Yi Hwan.
“Give the Princess a cup of tea as well.”
“Yes.”
“Forget the tea. Did His Majesty give permission?”
Yi Hwan, who had taken a sip of tea, gave a completely different answer from before.
“It’ll take some time. A few ministers showed negative views.”
“Didn’t you say His Majesty’s permission is all that matters?”
“As the Princess knows, His Majesty has only recently ascended the throne. He seems to have judged that ignoring the ministers for a unilateral decision would be unwise.”
“……!”
“It’s just a matter of time, so don’t worry too much. By the way, are you comfortable here?”
“Yes. More than comfortable.”
“Staying inside all day must be stifling, so go out for walks while you wait. There are plenty of worthwhile places near the capital.”
“How long will it take?”
“His Majesty has quite a bit of official business to handle, but it shouldn’t take more than a fortnight.”
“…….”
“Mu-ok.”
“Yes.”
“When the Princess goes out, assist with her escort. Bring a few from your lineage as well.”
“Understood.”
* * *
After Tae-seon left, Go Mi asked.
“Why did you do that?”
“If I grant it too easily, they’ll take it lightly. For a long-cherished wish from their ancestors’ time, a fortnight is quick.”
“Do you have some separate request?”
“I’m thinking about what more the Blue Wolf Tribe can offer us.”
Hwa Ryeong spoke up.
“Of course, we should demand as much tribute as possible? Like their fine northern horses, or gold, things like that. Ah! I hear they have plenty of diamonds too!”
“I’ll keep it in mind.”
“To check Zhao Kingdom, wouldn’t it be important to maintain close military cooperation?”
“I’m considering that too.”
“Well, the court ministers will think of the rest better. Then we’ll take our leave to rest. Let’s go.”
Go Mi grabbed Hwa Ryeong’s arm and stood.
“Rest well.”
“Rest well.”
“Take those with you.”
“What are those?”
On the table were two large bundles wrapped in silk.
“His Majesty bestowed them upon you two.”
“……!”
“He’s also promoted you both one rank, so work even harder from now on.”
Tremble…
Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong’s eyes glistened.
Receiving a gift from the Emperor. It was the greatest of fortunes that all the people of Yeon Kingdom dreamed of. And a promotion too.
“Congratulations.”
“……Thank you.”
Go Mi’s voice finally choked up.
Hwa Ryeong’s eyes reddened too.
“Hing. I really got promoted, right?”
“I believe you can climb even higher.”
“How high can I go?”
Whoosh!
Go Mi pulled Hwa Ryeong close.
“Rest well.”
* * *
Yi Hwan gazed out the window.
The day was exceptionally clear today. Recalling the blizzards in the north, he almost doubted it was the same sky.
*Without you, this brother of yours would feel so empty, I worry how I could endure.*
Yi So remained the same. He didn’t use the title “subject” before Yi Hwan, unlike with others.
‘Yeon Kingdom might just welcome a sage ruler unprecedented in history.’
Yi Hwan trusted Yi So. He would become an unparalleled sage ruler in Yeon Kingdom’s history.
That’s why he wanted to help more.
After all, he had to live this second life as Yeon Kingdom’s Great Prince.
‘Once things wrap up to a certain point, I’ll head to Zhao Kingdom. But first, there’s a place I need to visit.’
He had told Yi So today.
That he’d have to leave Yeon Kingdom for a while soon.
He didn’t give a reason. Yi So worried about the departure but didn’t ask why.
*That much trust, I suppose.*
‘Those who have steadfastly upheld the iron rule of the martial world even after Non-Aggression between Court and Martial World was broken. I’ll meet them first.’
Wudang Sect and Mount Hua Sect were among the few sects still adhering to the martial world’s iron rules. Only a few like General Song Hoe had ventured out to serve in the military; most disciples had rejected the Empress and Yi Hwan’s temptations and threats, keeping distance from the court.
Wudang Sect and Mount Hua Sect.
In Yi Hwan’s era, they had reigned as the twin peaks of the sword, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Namgung Family, the foremost of the Five Great Families, in prestige.
Yet they never used that power to seize authority, devoting their lives to pursuing justice, valuing righteousness like their own lives, and following the martial and the way.
True Daoists living the life of Daoists.
Yi Hwan planned to meet them first.
‘If the Blood Demon’s descendants are as powerful as before, and the Mad Demon’s descendants are lurking somewhere in the world, their help will be absolutely necessary.’
Yi Hwan headed to the table.
On the table lay two long objects wrapped in silk, retrieved today from the Imperial Palace Treasury.
‘Will this move their hearts?’
It was then.
“My lord.”
Cheol Mu-ok’s voice drifted in.
“Come in.”
Cheol Mu-ok opened the door and entered.
“I need to go to the market district. The Princess suddenly said she wanted to see it.”
“She seemed in low spirits earlier, and now she wants to tour the market?”
“She seems to want to relieve her stuffiness that way.”
“Go ahead.”
“Yes.”
Moments later, Yi Hwan watched Tae-seon’s group exiting the headquarters’ main gate. Cheol Mu-ok and one Blue Wolf Tribe female warrior accompanied her.
He thought the escort was too light, but since the market was not far from headquarters, Yi Hwan didn’t think much of it.
Snicker.
Yi Hwan smirked as he watched Cheol Mu-ok.
‘That’s a first, seeing him so excited.’
* * *
At an inn in the market district.
As the Ghost Valley Lord tilted his teacup alone at a table, a man in yellow robes approached.
“A woman presumed to be the Blue Wolf Tribe’s Princess has left the Golden Army headquarters and is heading toward the market district.”
“Did you confirm the escort?”
“Two.”
“Is that so?”
The Ghost Valley Lord’s eyes flashed with light.
“Another opportunity arises like this. Heh heh heh.”
Clink.
“Hurry and fetch the Human Skin Mask.”
“You’ll go yourself?”
“This could be the perfect chance to reignite the embers of war. Make haste.”
“Understood.”
Moments later, the Ghost Valley Lord disguised himself with the Human Skin Mask and left the inn. Soon after, he spotted Cheol Mu-ok and Tae-seon’s group entering the market district.
‘That guy?’
The Ghost Valley Lord recognized Cheol Mu-ok at a glance, his eyes flashing.
‘Good thing I came myself.’
* * *
Having heard from Yi Hwan that it would take about a fortnight to receive the Emperor’s permission, Tae-seon headed to the market district to soothe her troubled mind.
She had passed through several cities on the way to the Imperial Palace, but the market before her boasted a splendor on another level.
Was she a woman after all? Vitality soon returned to her eyes.
‘I wish our people could live like this too.’
Thinking of her people enduring harsh lives in the barren plains, her heart felt uneasy.
But that lasted only a moment. As all sorts of novel things caught her eye, Tae-seon’s spirits lifted.
“Are all those inns?”
“That’s right.”
“Places selling liquor and food on this scale. Yeon Kingdom must have many rich people.”
“It’s the capital.”
“Even so…….”
Tae-seon trailed off, composing her expression.
‘Envy means you lose.’
She asked something else.
“There were plenty of others, so why are you escorting me?”
“The Great Prince ordered it. If I make you uncomfortable, I can switch with someone else.”
“No. It’s fine.”
Shaking her head, Tae-seon asked again.
“Where’s the best place here for liquor and food?”
“There.”
The place Cheol Mu-ok pointed to was an inn run by the Song family. Once in dire straits due to the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group and Wang Ji-kyeong, it had been taken over and operated by Yi Yeong, and now it had grown into one of the capital’s renowned inns.
“Good. Let’s look around the market a bit more, then eat there.”
“Understood.”
Tae-seon walked ahead. Had her mood improved a little? Her steps were quite light.
Cheol Mu-ok silently followed behind.